TfL says safety essential for healthy and sustainable transport choices

Transport for London (TfL) has published casualty statistics that show the number of people killed on London's roads in 2021 fell by 22 per cent to the lowest level on record, compared to a seven per cent increase nationally.
However, says TfL, casualties have increased since the coronavirus lockdowns ended and continued action is needed to achieve the Mayor's Vision Zero goal of eliminating death and serious injury from the transport network.

Vulnerable road users continue to be most at risk with people walking, cycling and motorcycling making up 81 per cent of all people killed or seriously injured in 2021.

The number of people killed while cycling in 2021 was down by 40 per cent on the 2005-09 baseline, from 17 to 10 people. However, serious injuries to people cycling increased by 54 per cent. This partly reflects increases in the number of journeys cycled, with the most recent figures showing the share of road journeys by bicycle almost doubling to four per cent.

Since the start of the pandemic, TfL has worked closely with boroughs across the capital to invest in the walking and cycling infrastructure needed to enable increases in active travel and keep people walking and cycling safe.

People riding motorcycles continued to be disproportionately involved in collisions resulting in fatal and serious injuries to themselves and to others, especially people walking. In 2021, motorcyclists accounted for less than three per cent of vehicle kilometres travelled but 19 per cent of fatalities.

The greatest absolute increase in serious injuries was recorded amongst motorcyclists, notably smaller capacity motorcycles frequently used by delivery riders.

Cars continued to be the main vehicle type involved in collisions and speeding remains the biggest risk to road users with half of the 2021 fatal collisions in London (37 out of 75) reporting speed as a contributory factor.

TfL concludes a shift away from private vehicles to walking, cycling and public transport will significantly help to reduce Londoners' exposure to road danger and get the city closer to its Vision Zero goal, while also helping to reduce congestion and carbon emissions, and improve London's air quality.

Creating safer and more attractive areas for people to live, work and play will also encourage more people out of their cars to walk, cycle and use public transport, and enjoy the health benefits of active travel.

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, said, "Every death and serious injury on our roads is a tragedy and I refuse to believe that they are something we have to accept as inevitable.

"The pandemic has also demonstrated that fewer cars on our roads mean fewer deaths and serious injuries, which is why I'm determined to make sure we deliver a green recovery in London by encouraging more Londoners to walk and cycle.”

Stuart Reid, Head of Insights and Direction for TfL said, "Although last year saw the lowest number of road deaths in London on record, protecting everyone on the road, particularly people walking, cycling and motorcycling, is a priority for us and our partners and we will continue to incorporate our Vision Zero strategy into every decision we make. Without safe streets we know that people won't choose the most healthy and sustainable modes of transport."